You never forget your first, right? Today’s dessert will always be a special one because it was my first makeover. I’d been working in a restaurant in Boston for about a year when the chef gave me the opportunity to become Pastry Chef. My test was to come up with a menu that would “wow” both the chefs and the owners. I immediately got to work, and my kicked up strawberry shortcake got me the job!
It really seems like that was forever ago, and I love to look back at that time because it’s when I really started to develop my style and “flirt with dessert.” Over the years this little shortcake has gotten me quite a few jobs, and although it has been fine tuned, it always stays the same. Brown sugar pecan cake filled with white chocolate mousse is good to begin with. Add local strawberries that have been getting cozy with Grand Marnier, and the final dish is both fun and comforting. Another thing I love about this shortcake is that it can be served a number of different ways. The recipe calls for making cupcakes to build your shortcake, but this also works really well as a trifle.
This shortcake also led me to another first in my career, this time in media. Yup, not only was this my first makeover, but it was also my first video. Now I have to tell you, watching this video makes me giggle because I was so nervous, I don’t even think I smiled. I was beyond prepared for this shoot, but once the How2Heroes crew showed up and started setting up lights and cameras, the nerves really set in. I think it was the point when the director Kelsey put my mic pack on that I had the “For the love of God, what did I get myself into moment.” Anyway, I am beyond grateful for that opportunity because videos have become my favorite outlet, and a few dozen later, I think I’m smiling a little more 😉
Enjoy the video!
Video courtesy of How2Heroes
Ingredients
- 1½ sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1½ cups light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups cake flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans, toasted & roughly-chopped, + more reserved for garnish if desired
- ½ lb white chocolate (good-quality) - if using a block, chop into chip-sized pieces
- 1¼ cups heavy cream
- 2 gelatin sheets
- 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to a soft peak
- 1 lb strawberries
- ¼ - ½ cup granulated sugar
- few splashes of Grand Marnier
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one-at-a-time until fully combined.
- Sift flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add ⅓ of the flour and mix until just combined.
- Add half of the milk and vanilla extract, mix until just combined.
- Repeat this alternation of wet and dry ingredients, ending with the last ⅓ of the flour mixture. Do not overmix- each addition should be mixed until just combined.
- Fold in pecans.
- Portion into muffin tins coated with non-stick cooking spray. Only fill cups ¾ full
- Place muffin tins on sheet tray, and bake 18-20 minutes, rotating the pan at about 9 minutes.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before removing from tins.
- Soak the gelatin sheets in ice water bath to bloom.
- Heat 1¼ cups of heavy cream to just a scald. Can be done on stovetop or in microwave.
- Place white chocolate in medium-sized bowl and pour heated cream over top. Whisk until smooth
- Wring out gelatin sheets and whisk into warm ganache to dissolve. Allow to cool, stirring occasionally.
- When the ganache is cool, fold in the whipped cream.
- Refrigerate at least 3 hours (preferably overnight) to set up.
- Wash and quarter strawberries.
- Add sugar and orange liqueur to taste.
- Macerate so flavors can get to know each other.
- Place mousse in piping bag with star tip. If you do not have a piping bag, a plastic sandwich bag with a corner cut will also work- or, you can just spoon the mousse onto the cakes.
- Take one cake, and place on plate. Pipe or spoon mousse around the outer edge of the cake.
- Mound strawberries in middle, pipe mousse atop strawberries and top with another cake, flipped upside-down.
- Add another dollop of mousse on top, and spoon more strawberries to serve.
- Garnish with extra toasted pecans, if desired.
Katherine Martinelli says
Gorgeous!!
Terra says
My husband is in television and film, and we both were really impressed with your video! It looks so good, sounds great, and the editing is awesome:-) You rock!!! NOW can I have a some strawberry shortcake please? That pecan cake sounds amazing, and I just bought some Grand Marnier:-) Hugs, Terra
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says
Woo ! I don’t think you’d ever forget your first, especially if it looked like this. 🙂
Haley says
This looks amazing!
juliemarg says
That was an amazing recipe! The video was great !
http://www.juliegallaher.com
bblondie says
Thank you Julie!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
What a great post! It’s so amazing as to how food can date back to so many old memories!
bblondie says
so true, right? Thank you!
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen says
“For the love of God, what did I get myself” moments are what makes life interesting 🙂 No wonder this shortcake has gotten you employment. Wow!
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen says
I meant “what did I get myself into” obviously 🙂 I’ve had quite a few of those moments.
bblondie says
They definitely are!! Thanks so much Hester! 🙂
Tiffany says
Oh this is just making my heart sing!
bblondie says
Thanks girl!
Liz says
Just stunning Meghan! I’ve made shortcakes with white chocolate whipped cream, but you’ve pushed the button even further! This looks extraordinary!!!
bblondie says
Thanks Lizzy! You always get me with your white chocolate desserts & posts!
amy @ fearless homemaker says
oh wow, this looks absolutely wonderful! and i’m so impressed – your first video is waaay better than my first experience in a video. =) by the way, i can’t remember if we’ve talked about this before, but i’m a boston gal, too – I spent my first 18 years living in Dedham before moving down to Tennessee, where I live now! =)
bblondie says
Thanks Amy! You are so lucky, Nashville is my happy place 🙂
Amy @ fragrantvanillacake says
This sounds wonderful Meaghan! No wonder you have made it so many times, I am not surprised it is a hit! Strawberry shortcake with white chocolate sounds divine :)!
bblondie says
Thanks Amy!
Colleen, The Smart Cookie Cook says
This really is a unique twist on strawberry shortcake! Honestly, typical strawberry shortcake doesn’t thrill me, but this is a whole different story. I would eat this every day of my life! I can see why it landed you so many jobs. The video was very helpful too!
bblondie says
Thanks Colleen! I think I could probably eat this one very day too!
Luscious Delights Blog says
This looks so fresh and delicious. I wish I had one right now to sink my teeth into.
bblondie says
Thank you!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
oh my god the strawberries!!!! So much awesomeness.
bblondie says
Thanks Rachel, the strawberries are ridiculous! I got them at Wilson Farm in Lexington.
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
This is absolutely gorgeous! I’m sure the white chocolate takes this to a whole ‘nother level!
Riley says
Those berries look amazing!
Janet@FCTC says
This looks and sounds amazing! I can easily see why it got you more than one job. 🙂
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
It was so great to watch your video. You’re right, you didn’t smile, but I wouldn’t have either. Heck, I know I couldn’t have done it. I did learn a lot though. I’ve always wondered why we’re not supposed to mix cake batter too much and now I know; tunneling. Thanks for the teaching moment. If there’s a good reason for starting with the dry and ending with the dry, I’d love to know that too.
I can not wait to make this recipe. I adore white chocolate and can only imagine how amazing it is in a mousse. I’ll probably head the trifle route, but it all sounds fantastic when put together. I can well believe the doors it’s opened for you. Thanks for being willing to share the recipe with us.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I can totally see how this cake won you the job. It is absolutely stunning, and every element of the dish sounds scrumptious.
Sandra says
It’s been ages since I’ve made white chocolate mousse and know I’m really craving it. I’ve never used gelatin sheets before and I will be on the hunt for them. Love your videos and you look so comfortable on camera.
ellenbcookery says
Oh my goodness, this looks sinfully delicious!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
What a great strawberry shortcake! That is one of our favorite summer desserts, so I love the make over. Doing a video terrifies me! This being your first, I think you did great!